BANSTEAD EAGLES FIGHT BACK TO WIN THE SUNDAY JUNIOR TROPHY
The final of the Middlesex FA Sunday Junior Trophy took place on Sunday, 23rd April at Green Lane Sports Club, the home of CB Hounslow United. The teams involved were Banstead Eagles and Inter Manresa (full name Club International de Futbol Manresa 24). Banstead Eagles play in the North Surrey & Middlesex Border Sunday League and Inter Manresa are members of the Barnet Sunday League. Your roving team had watched and had been impressed by both sides in the earlier rounds of the competition and were anticipating a good match. We were not disappointed.
The Sunday Junior Trophy was first competed for in the 1984-85 season, when it was won by Enfield Rangers Old Boys. 30 teams entered the competition this season.
Banstead Eagles were given a bye in round 1 and then reached the final by beating Vintage (West London) Sunday 9-1 (A) in round 2, AFC Roza U23 Pinks in a penalty shoot-out, after a 1-1 home draw in the quarter-final and Heart of Teddlothian 2-0 (H) in the semi-final.
Inter Manresa had beaten Camden Town Athletic 10-2 (A) in round 1, Bedfont FC Dons 4-0 (A) in round 2, Harefield United Sunday 4-3 (H) in the quarter-final and Armenian Youth Association 3-1 (H) in the semi-final.
The teams were evenly matched and they both played enterprising football. However, the first half of this keenly fought game, during which Inter had the better of the possession, was goalless. Inter went ahead 5 minutes after the interval and scored again 15 minutes later. The Eagles fought back and reduced the arrears almost immediately and then, 10 minutes after that, they levelled the scores. No further goals were forthcoming, so the deadlock had to be broken by a penalty shoot-out, which ended in the Eagles’ favour.
David Siddall, in the Inter Manresa goal was quickly in action, just beating Nick Kemble to a long ball.
Then Eagles keeper, Elliott Fry, fielded a cross from Ruben Bartlett-Antwi, who became an inspiration behind many of the Inter attacks, displaying impressive speed and skill.
Banstead’s Matt Donovan was tripped in a central position, about 35 yards out. Sam Chapman’s freekick was headed away.
Inter skipper, Joseph Akwaboa hit the ball across the Eagles’ goalmouth but Giovanni Baptiste couldn’t guide it into the net.
A long freekick into the Inter box by Sam Chapman was deflected for a corner, which was headed over the bar by centre back Ed Austin, who had gone forward for the kick.
Inter’s Giovanni Baptiste made a good run up the wing but his squared low cross went behind his incoming strikers.
Inter’s Terry Appiassi came nearest to scoring thus far, with a well struck shot from 25 yards, which just missed the angle of the goal.
Terry had another chance, following good approach work by Drew Thomas-Bissmire but he shot wide from close range.
Matt Donovan of Eagles was booked for a foul in the 30th minute. Rocheim Stewart headed the resulting freekick from Matthew Dann wide. Elliott Fry saved low down from Ruben Bartlett-Antwi. Then Elliott finger tipped a dangerous high ball from Terry Appias away.
Andrew Michael set up Ruben, whose shot was blocked.
Josh Mooney advanced up the middle and let fly at the Inter goal from around 35 yards but his shot was too high.
Half-time score: Banstead Eagles 0 Inter Manresa 0
Inter’s pressure eventually told and they took the lead in the 51st minute, through Ruben Bartlett-Antwi, after the Eagles’ keeper had failed to hold a high ball.
Inter Manresa continued the attack, with Ruben and Rocheim Stewart pulling the strings. Rocheim made an incisive run but his ball, high across the goalmouth, didn’t find a teammate. Ruben made a couple of threatening runs, one through the middle and the other towards goal along the bye line. They both produced corners.
Banstead Eagles’ Dan Stevenson was cautioned for a foul. The resulting freekick taken by Rocheim, from wide on the right, was punched out by keeper, Elliott Fry.
However, Rocheim doubled Inter’s lead in the 66th minute, from another freekick, this one from a central position just outside the penalty area, awarded for a foul on Ruben Bartlett-Antwi. Rocheim placed his shot low into the corner of the goal.
This goal brought an immediate response from Eagles, who made some substitutions and tore into the attack with renewed vigour. In the 68th minute, David Luguterah headed Sam Chapman’s freekick to the far post, into the corner of the net.
David scored the equaliser in the 78th minute, with another header, this one from a long throw-in by Sam Chapman.
Both teams then had further chances. A long freekick into the Eagles’ penalty area by Matthew Dann eluded everybody and bounced harmlessly for a goal-kick. A long freekick into the other penalty box by Eagles’ Sam Chapman was scrambled away to safety.
Inter’s Troy Raymond burst through and hit a low shot, which Elliott Fry saved. Elliott was called upon to make several more saves in the closing minutes of the match. He repelled a low drive from Glenn Nightingale. Then, in the last of the 3 added minutes, he touched a free kick from Rocheim Stewart onto his crossbar. The ball was scrambled for a corner. So, we went to penalties.
Score after 90 minutes: Banstead Eagles 2 Inter Manresa 2
Inter Manresa went first in the penalty shoot-out. 9 of the 10 takers hit the inside of the goal-netting. The exception was Inter’s Glenn Nightingale, who hit the crossbar with his shot. The successful penalty takers were Lamar Cato, Ruben Bartlett-Antwi, Rocheim Stewart and Andrew Michael for Inter Manresa and Jack Martin, Sam Chapman, Sesy Fagbire, Josh Mooney and David Luguterah for Banstead Eagles.
Result of Penalty shoot-out: Inter Manresa 4 Banstead Eagles 5
Our congratulations are given to Banstead Eagles on their fight back from two goals down to achieve victory. Also, our condolences are due to Inter Manresa, who lost by the slenderest of margins, after contributing to a splendid final.
The game was very well handled by referee Ivan Yordanov. Ivan received excellent support from his team.
The Guest of Honour, Middlesex FA Vice President, Robin Filkins was introduced to the teams and the match officials prior to the match and presented the cup and individual mementoes afterwards. Robin chose Ruben Bartlett-Antwi of Inter Manresa as Player of the Match.
Our thanks are given to CB Hounslow United for allowing us the use of their excellent facilities and for their splendid hospitality.
TEAM LINE-UPS:
Banstead Eagles: Elliott Fry, Phil Dickson (capt), Sam Chapman, Ed Austin, Dan Stevenson, Sesy Fagbire, Matt Donovan, Josh Mooney, Lee Glanville, Nick Kemble and Brad Holden.
Rolling substitutes: Josh Carroll, David Luguterah, George Martin, Jack Martin and Adam Odemyuiwa.
Manager: Callum Penfold.
Inter Manresa: David Siddall, Kaci Walker, Drew Thomas-Bissmire, Matthew Dann, Andrew Michael, Joseph Akwaboa (capt), Giovanni Baptiste, Emmanuel Antwi, Terry Appiassi, Ruben Bartlett-Antwi and Rocheim Stewart.
Rolling substitutes: Troy Raymond, Glenn Nightingale, Lamar Cato, Daniel Bailey and Javan Odegah.
Manager: Jaden Palmer-Leandre Coaches: Jonathan Boateng and Chris Ftanou.
Referee: Ivan Yordanov Assistant Referees: Mark Sennett and Alan Barrett Fourth Official : Errol Barnett.
Attendance: 138
We thank Chris & Jim for covering this game, as ever they have selected their favourite shots from the match. Chris has also kindly provided a full album of imagery.
Full Album Courtesy of Chris Benn
Photography - Chris Benn